ASMPH launches groundbreaking 2.5-year study with UCSF, CUNY, and RITM on the impact of extreme weather events on HIV care in the Philippines
This initiative is part of a multi-country research project spearheaded and funded by the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) network, an international research consortium established in 2006 by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The study seeks to provide critical insights into gaps in HIV care, delays in treatment, and losses to clinic follow-up, particularly among subgroups that are disproportionately affected by extreme weather and vulnerable to adverse health outcomes.
Dr. Denis Nash, principal investigator and professor of epidemiology at the CUNY’s Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, discusses the link between climate change, extreme weather, and HIV-related health outcomes.
Representatives from ACRI, UCSF, CUNY, and RITM gather at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to mark the official collaboration for the Weathering HIV Project.
In 2024, the UCSF and CUNY teams conducted country visits to formally introduce the project to key stakeholders. These included executives from the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), RITM, the Department of Health (DOH), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines. The team also visited designated study sites, including the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP) clinic in Mandaluyong and the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (Bahay LInGAD) in Pampanga.
Nursing staff at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital provide an overview of the hospital’s history and introduce key officials to the research team.
Dr. Sheri Weiser, principal investigator and professor at UCSF’s HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine Division, shares insights on the project’s objectives and expected outcomes.
During the visit, a forum on climate change, health, and infectious diseases was held at the ASMPH campus in Ortigas, Pasig City. This event showcased the latest global evidence, innovative research approaches, and actionable practice implications to address the intersection of climate change and infectious diseases, further emphasizing the importance of the project.
The UCSF and CUNY teams also facilitated training sessions for the Philippine project team, focusing on conducting qualitative interviews to ensure robust and standardized data collection practices. With data collection set to commence in March 2025, the project is poised to generate critical evidence that can inform responsive and sustainable interventions.
This project aligns with ACRI’s commitment to addressing the intersection of environmental and public health challenges. By generating new evidence on how extreme weather events exacerbate vulnerabilities in HIV care, the initiative aims to inform policies and interventions that improve health outcomes and system resilience in the Philippines
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Heat Health Forum 2025: Strengthening Our Response to a Warming Philippines
Join the Heat Health Forum on May 15, 2025 at ASMPH Chang Te Hall, Ateneo de Manila University — a timely event bringing together health and climate experts, government agencies, and future professionals to address the rising health risks of extreme heat in the Philippines. Through expert discussions and collaborative breakout sessions, the forum aims to shape a unified national response and develop actionable strategies for protecting vulnerable populations. 📅 Date: May 15, 2025 📍 Venue: Chung Te Hall, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City 💻 Access: Zoom 🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/3RoQvNMPv5CcpKpG9 Be part of the conversation — and the solution.
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